George Joseph Jerry

George Joseph Jerry died Wednesday September 2, 2015 from complications of congestive heart failure.    An artist, auctioneer, carpenter, cook, friend, inventor, museum consultant, newspaper columnist, photographer, poet, political and financial pundit, property manager, technology enthusiast and raconteur, George was such a Renaissance man that his wife Jane eventually began introducing him as an “omniologist” when people asked her about his profession. 

George was predeceased by his parents Katherine (Tardie) and Richard Jerry, both of Berlin NH.  He is survived by his cherished wife Jane (Pfeffer) Jerry, Highlands, NC; siblings Georgette Reardon, Pepperell, MA; Andrew (Carol) Jerry, Sanbornton, NH; Louise (Joe) Pirrotta, Danvers, MA and Richard (Lisa) Jerry, Leicester,  MA; nephews and nieces: Wendy Bergquist Bastos,  Nashua, NH;  Dickie Bergquist, Berlin, NH;  Marcia Blanchette, Danvers, MA;  Karen (Freddie) Blanchette Hector, Lynn, MA; Curtis (Michelle) Jerry, Pembroke, MA; and Brittany Gentile Tommasone, Worcester, MA; great nephews and nieces: Adrianna Bastos, Nashua, NH;  and Adonna and Dante Hector, Lynn, MA.  George also leaves his two very dedicated caregivers: Rhonda Crisp, Franklin, NC, and Vicki Palmer, Scaly Mountain, NC. 

George was born on October 23, 1947 in Barre, Vermont.  He was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy (VT), Lyndon State College (NH), University of New Hampshire and the Boston College Carroll School of Management (MBA).  Between semesters he earned an Auctioneering Degree from the Reisch World Wide College of Auctioneering (Mason City, IA). 

Following graduation from UNH, George was the Property Manager for Seacrest Village, Portsmouth, NH where he and his wife Jane lived for the first year of their marriage. In 1973, began working State Street Development Company (Boston MA) and later they moved to Warwick, RI, where George managed property for Kelly & Picerne.    

In 1976 they moved to Providence, RI, where George renovated apartment houses and Jane became the first director of the Children’s Museum of Rhode Island, now the Providence Children’s Museum. 

After earning his MBA from Boston College in 1977, George oversaw the renovation of the historic “Fifth Ward Room” in Pawtucket, RI, which was to become the Jerry’s home.  The Ward Room, originally built in 1886, was added to the National Register of Historic Places following the renovation.  During this time George also wrote a weekly newspaper column for The Pawtucket Times.IN 1984 the Jerrys moved to Houston, TX, when Jane became the first Director of the Children’s Museum of Houston.  During their ten years in Houston, George earned two patents: for the “VOCU” (Versatile Omnisite Cooking Unit) and the “Boot Off” (the first flat‑on‑the‑floor boot jack.)  While in Texas the Jerrys often consulted together with emerging children’s museums and George established “Childmus”, the first list serve for the international children’s museum field. He served as the administrator for Childmus up until his death. In 1994 the Jerrys moved to Nashville, TN, where Jane served as President of Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art.  George found the perfect log home for them in Fernvale Valley, just outside of Nashville, and turned his attention to farming and vegetable gardening. Dublin, Ireland became the couple’s next home in 2005, when Jane became the Executive Director for the emerging “Exploration Station,” a science center for young people.  Following the downturn in the world economy, the Jerrys returned to Tennessee. A year after returning, a flood required complete renovation of their log home, which George oversaw.  In early 2011, Jane moved to Highlands NC, to direct The Bascom Visual Arts Center.   George joined Jane a short time later and took great pleasure in the natural beauty of the Highlands area.

A serious spinal cord injury in May 2012, slowed George down considerably yet he endured his ‘new normal’ with dignity, grace and unfailing good humor.  His kaleidoscopic intellect and curiosity impressed everyone he met and insured there was always a circle of friends willing to help, give transportation, watch football games, wager bets and kibitz about politics—in person or long distance on the phone.

A Memorial Poetry Reading will be held at The Bascom at 6pm on Thursday, October 15, 2015.In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to The Bascom 323 Franklin Rd., Highlands, NC 28741; the Hudson Library, 554 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741; the Shepherd Rehabilitation Center, 220 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309, or to the charity of your choice. Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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